MANILA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Philipine government blamed Monday the United States for the continued terrorist threat in Mindanao.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella made the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte said that American special forces in southern Philippines have to leave the place.
"The statement reflects PRRD's (Duterte) new direction towards coursing an independent foreign policy; he has made reference to the unrecognized, unrepented and un-atoned for massacre at Bud Dajo in Sulu by the Americans, hence our continued connection with West is the real reason for the 'Islamic' threat in Mindanao," he said.
The massacre at Bud Dajo which took place in 1906 was the issue raised by Duterte during the closed door meeting of the leaders in the East Asia Summit in Laos to emphasize the human rights violations committed by the Americans.
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